Thursday, February 16, 2017

Gone are the days when you need a CAD expert to create 3D printable file. In the past few years, 3D printing has been a topic of media attention and its hype is peaking right now. 3D printing has brought a revolution in the manufacturing industry. 3D printing emerged as a shining star for most of the industries, especially to healthcare, automotive and aerospace. Industries using 3D printing for production level manufacturing include the aerospace industry. 3D printing has the ability to redesign the parts in a way that it makes the parts lighter and doesn’t impact the strength of the parts. This ultimately leads to fuel savings.

3D printing has just not benefitted the manufacturing industry but also other industries as well. In the medical industry, it has enabled mass customization to make parts designed for individual’s measurements.

3D printing is often used interchangeably as Additive manufacturing. Before moving forward let’s understand what 3D printing is all about.

What is 3D Printing?

3D printing or additive manufacturing is far beyond the traditional sense, allowing for 3D objects to be physically printed before your eyes. 3D printing turns models into solid objects by building them up in layers. 3D printing allows the creation of prototypes, models, and products out of materials such as metals and plastics. Layer upon layer of your design is being created by the printer until the final product is formed. 3D printing allows rapid prototyping of ideas for new parts or products and also cut down costs on product creation through savings in supply chains, product wastage, and storage.

Image credit: https://3dprint.com/wpcontent/uploads/2016/06/brain.jpg

Growth of 3D Printing

Since past few decades, 3D printing has changed drastically and has shown tremendous growth. According to a survey done by Consumer Electronics Association - Sales of 3D Printers will approach $5 billion in 2017 as compared from $1.7 billion in 2011. Demand will boost up for everything ranging from consumer applications to markets such as automotive, aerospace, industrial and healthcare.

Uses of 3D Printing in Manufacturing

3D printing has various emerging and near-term future uses based on different industry sectors.

1.Automotive & Industrial Manufacturing: 3D printing gives the biggest advantage of consolidating many components into a single complex part. It allows faster product development cycle with rapid prototyping, for, and fit testing.

2.Retail: It enables printing spare or replacement parts for auto or home repair. It can create complex geometry and shapes which are not possible with traditional manufacturing.

4.Pharma/Healthcare: 3D printing gives innumerable benefits to the medical industry as it can develop custom orthopedic implants and prosthetics. 3D printed cadavers can be used for medical industry.

3D printing and Engineering

3D printing has a very bright future in engineering. Some of the benefits are:

1.Rapid Prototyping: Complex structures of the object can be created with so much ease through 3D printing.

2.Reduced Lead Times: 3D Printing also allows you to save time and also reduce lead times. Products can be launched quicker with the help of 3D printing.

3.Mass Production: It also enables mass production of unique products which can’t be made using traditional methods.

Wrapping Up

3D printing holds a very bright future and it is here to stay for a long time. 3D printing has developed significantly over the past 30 years and it will potentially have a greater impact on the world over the next 20 years.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Since 1999, SOLIDWORKS World has been an experience. The event itself has always been a mashup of personal and professional. It’s learning about what’s new, next and never before from not only technological perspectives but also from connecting with peers, who feel more like family. In both cases, the goal is to learn how to tackle challenges with new approaches to design and engineering.

Search

About Engineering Technique

We at Engineering Technique are engaged in the business of 3D CAD Software (SOLIDWORKS) and Design Services Provider (Mechanical Engineering Design Services). We are also involved in the business of 3D Printers (EnvisionTEC) and 3D Printing Services.